The body of a 15-year-old girl who was swept into the sea during a rescue attempt that claimed two lives has been recovered from a beach in East Yorkshire.
Grace Keeling, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, had been missing for nearly two weeks following the incident at Withernsea on 2 January. Her body was discovered among rocks on the beach at 8.30am on Thursday and was safely recovered on Saturday morning.
The teenager’s mother, Sarah Keeling, 45, and a local resident, Mark Ratcliffe, 67, both died after entering the water in an attempt to save Grace during rough weather conditions. The tragedy unfolded around 3.10pm near rocks and steps in the Central Promenade area of the beach.
According to Humberside Police, Grace was with a friend near the rocks when a wave swept her into the sea. Her mother and three members of the public, including Mr Ratcliffe, immediately entered the water to attempt a rescue.
Mr Ratcliffe, a retired warehouse worker originally from Bradford, was retrieved unconscious from the sea and pronounced dead at the scene that evening. Mrs Keeling’s body was recovered later the same day.
Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers of Humberside Police said: “This morning, with the help of HM Coastguard, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and other specialist assistance, we have been able to safely recover Grace.”
The recovery operation had been delayed by tide times, weather conditions and the location of Grace’s body. The site was secured off Holmpton Road, with high tide preventing access on Friday.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but police believe the body belongs to Grace. An extensive search operation involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI, helicopters and lifeboats was launched on 2 January, based on CCTV footage and witness interviews.
Inquests into the deaths of Mrs Keeling and Mr Ratcliffe were opened and adjourned at Hull Coroners’ Court on Monday. East Yorkshire area coroner Lorraine Harris heard that Mrs Keeling, a sales worker, died from drowning, contributed to by head and neck injuries. Mr Ratcliffe’s cause of death was drowning, with chest injuries as a contributory factor.
Mr Ratcliffe’s family paid tribute to him as “a true selfless hero with a heart of gold who was cruelly taken trying to save others.”
Joanne Gee, a close friend of Sarah Keeling, said she “made a mark absolutely on everyone she met.”
Detective Superintendent Vickers added: “This was a deeply upsetting incident, and I cannot begin to understand the heartbreak felt by all the loved ones of those involved.”
He confirmed that specially trained officers continue to support Grace’s family, who have requested privacy. “Our thoughts and sincere sympathies will always remain with the families of Grace and Sarah Keeling, and Mark Ratcliffe following this utter tragedy,” he said.
